Cabinet With Accessory In Top Panel And With Top Panel Lift Mechanism

ABSTRACT

A cabinet has an accessory, such as a flat panel television screen, mounted to the inner surface of the top panel. The top panel is pivotally mounted to the body of the cabinet. A lifting mechanism attached between the top panel and another part of the cabinet entirely lifts the top panel or provides assistance to open the top panel.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/828,474, filed Oct. 6, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention is directed to a furniture cabinet and, more particularly,to a furniture cabinet having an accessory mounted upon the innersurface of the top panel and a lift mechanism associated with the toppanel.

2. Description of Related Art

U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,333 to Lauderbach is directed to a cabinet with atop panel utilizing gas springs as weight counterbalances for a toppanel pivotable about a horizontal axis.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,268,104 to Bentley discloses a TV receiver providedwithin a cabinet. The receiver includes a viewing screen which ismounted upon members of a lifting linkage such that, in a fully uprightposition, the viewing screen is clearly visible. However, the viewingscreen is separate from the top panel and occupies a portion of thehousing which could otherwise be used for storage.

With the advent of large flat panel television (hereinafter “TV”)screens, a need has arisen to more efficiently utilize the limited spacein many dwellings to accommodate large flat panel TV screens, but, atthe same time, minimize the space required for viewing such flat panelTV screens.

A design is needed for housing an accessory such as a flat panel TVscreen in a way that is not only unobtrusive, but in a way that,furthermore, permits a viewer easy access to viewing the flat panel TVscreen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a cabinet comprised of a body defining anopening with a cavity therein. There is a top panel over the opening,wherein the top panel has an inner surface and an outer surface and,wherein the top panel is pivotal from a closed position covering theopening to an open position uncovering the opening. The inner surface ofthe top panel is adapted to receive a generally flat accessory such as aflat screen TV, wherein, in the top panel closed position, the accessoryis hidden and, in the top panel open position, the accessory is in fullview. A lifting mechanism is connected between the top panel and thebody and is biased in the top panel open position such that the externalforce required to lift the top panel to the open position issubstantially less than the force that would be required without suchmechanism.

In another embodiment, the lifting mechanism for the top panel of thecabinet is a power unit operated by an electric motor. The power unitmay be remotely controlled by a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a piece of furniture with a top panel in theclosed position and the open position, respectively, wherein anaccessory is mounted to the inner surface of the top panel;

FIG. 2 is a perspective line drawing of the cabinet illustrated in FIG.1A;

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are a perspective view, side view and front view,respectively, of the cabinet with the top panel in a partially openposition;

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are a perspective view, side view and front view,respectively, of the cabinet with the top panel in a fully openposition;

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are a front view, side view and top view,respectively, of a cabinet in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C;

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are an exploded perspective view, top view and sideview, respectively, of a bracket assembly utilized for a resistingmechanism in accordance with the subject invention;

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C are an exploded perspective view, top view and sideview, respectively, of another embodiment of the lift mechanism inaccordance with the subject invention;

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C are an exploded perspective view, top view and sideview, respectively, of a third bracket assembly utilized for a resistingmechanism in accordance with the subject invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a liftmechanism utilized for a cabinet;

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are a perspective view, side view, frontview and top view respectively of another embodiment of a lift mechanismpowered by a power unit operated by an electric motor;

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate another embodiment of a piece of furniturewith a top panel in the closed position and the open position,respectively, wherein an accessory is mounted to the inner surface ofthe top panel;

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12 D are a perspective view, side view, frontview and top view, respectively, of another embodiment of a cabinet withthe top surface serving as the top surface of a desk; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a table, whereby a portion of the tableis a top panel to which an attachment may be secured.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 illustrate a cabinet 10 comprised of a body 12 havingside panels 15A-15D defining a top opening 17 with a cavity 20 therein.A top panel 22, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, covers the opening 17. Thetop panel 22 has an inner surface 27. The top panel 22 is pivotal from aclosed position, illustrated in FIG. 1A, covering the opening 17 to anopen position, illustrated in FIG. 1B, uncovering the opening. 17. Theinner surface 27 of the top panel 22 is adapted to receive a generallyflat accessory 30 such as a flat screen TV, such that, in the closedposition, the accessory 30 is hidden and, in the open position,illustrated in FIG. 1B, the accessory 30 is in full view.

It should be appreciated that FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 do not illustrate thelifting mechanism, but that hereinafter, such a lifting mechanism willbe described with respect to other figures.

While FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 illustrate the cabinet as a particular type offurniture, it should be appreciated that the cabinet described herein isnot limited to any type of furniture, but may be utilized with anycabinet having a top panel that pivots upwardly to an open position,thereby exposing the inner surface of the top panel such that the toppanel may be adapted to receive an accessory for viewing.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate a cabinet upper portion 11 with the toppanel 22 in an intermediate position between the closed positionillustrated in FIG. 1A and the open position illustrated in FIG. 1B.However, FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate elements of the lifting mechanism 35 andare key to the subject invention.

The top panel 22 may be secured to a side 15D through the use of one ormore hinges 37 between the top panel 22 and the side 15D. As illustratedin FIG. 3A, the hinge 37 may be a piano hinge. In the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C, the top panel 22 covers the entire opening17. In certain embodiments, the top panel 22 may have a width less thanthe opening 17. Furthermore, although a hinge 37 has been described, itshould be understood that the hinge 37 may be substituted with anarcuate slide bracket or another mechanical mechanism capable of movingthe top panel 22 in a similar arcuate path as that provided by the hinge37. In the event an arcuate slide mechanism is utilized, then thebrackets associated with such a mechanism may be mounted to sides 15A,15C.

Although the accessory 30 (FIG. 3B) is not illustrated on the innersurface 27 of the top panel 22, in FIGS. 3A-3C and in many subsequentfigures, it should be appreciated that the cabinet 10, in accordancewith the subject invention, is designed such that the inner surface 27is adapted to receive and support such an accessory 30. As previouslymentioned, the accessory 30 may be a flat screen TV and, furthermore,such a flat screen TV may be an LCD screen or a plasma screen.Additionally, it is entirely possible that the accessory may besomething other than a flat screen TV, such as a mirror.

Directing attention to the lifting mechanism 35 illustrated in FIG. 3B,a first gas spring 40 is pivotally secured at a first end 42 to side 15Dand, at a second end 43, is pivotally secured to the inner surface 27 ofthe top panel 22. In general, the gas spring 40 is formed of a cylinder44 containing a gas filling under pressure with a piston rod 46 thereinthat slides within the cylinder 44 to further compress or to permitexpansion of the gas, thereby providing relative motion between thecylinder 44 and the piston rod 46.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate the top panel 22 in the open positionand, for illustrative purposes, the accessory 30 has been included inFIGS. 4A and 4C.

A second gas spring 50 is pivotally mounted at the first end 52 (FIG.4C) and also pivotally mounted at the second end 53 to the inner surface27 of the top panel 22 to provide additional lift to the top panel 22.The second gas spring 50 is formed of a cylinder 54 with a piston rod 56therein.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate further the cabinet upper portion 11 inFIGS. 3A-3C and the top panel 22 in the open position and, forillustrative purposes, the accessory 30 has been included.

From inspection of FIGS. 2, 3B and 4B, it should be appreciated that theforce required to lift the top panel 22 will be at a maximum when thetop panel 22 is in the closed position as illustrated in FIG. 2 and willbe at a minimum as the top panel 22 approaches the upright positionillustrated in FIG. 4B. However, the force exerted by the gas springs40, 50 tends to be uniform throughout the travel of the rod 46, 56within the cylinder 44, 54 of the gas spring 40, 50. As a result, toprevent the top panel 22 from opening too quickly, a resisting member 60(FIGS. 3C and 4C) is introduced in conjunction with one of the gassprings, such as the second gas spring 50. The second end 53 of the gasspring 50 is pivotally attached in series to the resisting member 60.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate another manner in which the hinge 37, the gassprings 40, 50 and the resisting member 60 are secured to the cabinet10. Here, the resisting member 60 is a hydraulic dampener intended onlyto dampen the speed with which the gas springs 40, 50 open the top panel22 and, in this instance, is mounted in parallel with the gas springs40, 50.

Returning to the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C and directingattention to FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C, the resisting member 60 is acompression spring 62 having a stop rod 64 positioned therein, such thatcompression of the spring 62 is limited by the stop rod 64. Inparticular, the stop rod 64 bottoms out between the bracket 78 and thelock nut 68. The resisting member 60, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 4C, works in series with the second gas spring 50. Returning toFIGS. 6A-6C, the cylinder 62 is mounted within a bracket 66 and securedtherein by locking nuts 68, 70 which are secured against the bracket 66through locking screws 74, 76. A mounting plate 72 covers the bracket 66and secures it against the inner surface 27. The second end 53 (FIG. 4C)of the gas spring 50 is secured to the bracket 78, such that the forceproduced by the rod 56 of the gas spring 50 is resisted by the resistingmember 60 to slow down the advancement of the rod 56 of the gas spring50. In particular, the gas springs 40, 50 are preloaded when the toppanel 22 is in the closed position such that opening the top panel 22 isassisted by the gas springs 40, 50. As a result, the resisting member 60is designed to resist as the top panel 22 pivots upwardly and requiresless lifting force. Compression of the spring loaded rod 64 acts tooppose advancement of the gas spring rod 56. As a result, even thoughthe gas springs 40, 50 still exert a significant force to position thetop panel 22 in the upright position, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, theresisting mechanism 60 provides a counterforce which not only slows theadvancement of the gas springs 40, 50, but furthermore, provides asmooth stop to the upward motion of the top panel 22. The mounting plate72 secures the spring 62 within the bracket 66.

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate the embodiment of the resisting mechanism 60 inFIGS. 3A-3C, whereby the compression spring 62 and stop rod 64 arepositioned in a channel 80 directly within the inner surface 27 of thetop panel 22. It should be noted that the arrangement illustrated inFIGS. 6A-6C is surface mounted to the inner surface 22 while thearrangement illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C is recessed within the innersurface 22. Directing attention to FIGS. 7A-7C, the bracket 78 to whichthe second end 53 (FIG. 4C) of the gas spring 50 is mounted, is alsomounted within the channel 80 and secured thereto by a mounting plate 82which itself is mounted to the inner surface 27 of the top panel 22.

FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate a resisting mechanism 60 having a compressionspring 62 with a stop rod 64 therein, but furthermore, having anadjusting mechanism 86 comprised of a rack 88 and pinion 90 to maneuvera stop 92 into different positions along the bracket 94 into which thecylinder 62 is positioned. The adjusting device 86 in conjunction withlocking nuts 96, 98 which are locked in position by locking screws 100,102 are used to position the spring 62 and stop rod 64, in any positionwithin the bracket 94, but furthermore, may preload the spring 62 bycompressing the spring 62, more or less, depending upon the position ofthe locking nuts 96, 98. Once again, the sliding bracket 78 (FIGS. 8Aand 4C) is mounted to the second end 53 of the gas spring 50 to resistthe force of the gas spring 50 when the top panel 22 is approaching theupright position, illustrated in FIG. 4A.

It should be appreciated that what has so far been described in FIGS.6A-6C, 7A-7C and 8A-8C, is the use of a pair of gas springs 40, 50 toassist in lifting the top panel 22 connected in series with a resistingmember 60 mounted in series with the gas spring 50 to counter the forceof the gas springs 40, 50 when the top panel 22 is approaching theupright position, illustrated in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 9 expands upon the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5C, wherebysecured to the inner surface 27 of the top panel 22 are two gas springs40, 50 and, furthermore, a hydraulic shock absorber 120 operating as theresisting member 60 in parallel with the gas spring 50 to act as adampener over the entire range of motion from the closed position,illustrated in FIG. 1A, to the open position, illustrated in FIG. 9.Unlike the previous embodiments in FIGS. 6A-6C, 7A-7C and 8A-8C, theresisting member 60 disclosed within FIG. 9 is not a spring/rodcombination, but is a hydraulic dampener.

Briefly returning to FIGS. 3A-3C, the gas spring 40 and the gas spring50 may be identical. However, the inventor has learned that the centerof gravity for different accessories 30 may not correspond with thecenter of the top panel 22 and, for that reason, under certaincircumstances, it may be preferred for one gas spring, for examplespring 40, to be larger than the other gas spring, for example spring50, to provide for a uniform lifting of the top panel 22 even though thecenter of gravity of the accessory 30 is off-center.

Preferably, the location and size of the gas springs 40, 50 should besuch that the top panel 22 will rest in the closed position. However,with a small upward force on the outer edge of the top panel 22, anindividual should be able to easily lift the top panel 22 with theassistance of the gas springs 40, 50.

As a result, it should be appreciated that the size and location of thegas spring is a function of the weight of the top panel 22 along withthe weight and placement of the accessory 30 on the inner surface 27 ofthe top panel 22.

The cabinet 10 discussed herein is designed to accommodate an accessory30 and, for that reason, will include mounting brackets 130 (FIG. 4C)secured to both the inner surface 27 of the top panel 22 and the backsurface (not shown) of the accessory 30. Such mounting brackets 130 areknown to those skilled in the art and, for that reason, additionaldetails will be not be provided herein.

Although not illustrated, it is possible to utilize a locking latch tosecure the top panel 22 in the closed position. With this lockingfeature, the gas springs 40, 50 may be sized and positioned such thatwhen the locking latch is released, the top panel 22 moves upwardlywithout the need to manually lift the top panel 22 to get the top panel22 started in the upward direction.

What has been discussed so far is a cabinet 10 having a top panel 22which is at least partially lifted by a lifting mechanism 35 comprisedof gas springs 40, 50. FIGS. 10A-10D illustrate a cabinet 10 having alifting mechanism 35 comprised of a power unit 140, such as an electriclinear actuator used to move a supporting rod 145, pivotally connectedto the top panel 22 up and down to position the top panel 22 in theupright position illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10D and to position the toppanel 22 in a closed position. The supporting rod 145 has a first end147 pivotally connected to a bracket 150 secured to the top panel 22,while the second end 149 has a threaded interior which is engaged by athreaded rod 155 driven by the power unit 140, such that rotation of thethreaded rod 155 translates the supporting rod 145 back and forth tolift and lower the top panel 22. It should be appreciated that theembodiment illustrated herein is a preferred embodiment. A number ofother lifting mechanisms utilizing an electric motor are known to thoseskilled in the art and may be applied to the present arrangement.

As illustrated in FIG. 10C, a transformer 160 may be utilized to stepdown 120 volt line voltage to 12 volts utilized by the power unit 140.However, it should be appreciated that depending upon the requirementsof the power unit 140, such a transformer 160 may not necessary.

Additionally, the power unit 140 may be actuated by a remote controlunit (not shown) transmitting a signal to a receiver 170 which is incommunication with the power unit 140. In this fashion, it is entirelypossible for a user to open and close the top panel 22 without the needto manually lift or close the top panel 22.

Directing attention to FIGS. 10A and 10B, it should be appreciated thatthe lifting mechanism 35, in accordance with this embodiment, requiresadditional space within the cabinet 10 and in the event the cabinet 10includes a shelf 175, it is likely a slot 177 would be needed throughthe shelf 175 to accommodate the lifting mechanism 35. It shouldfurthermore be appreciated that the illustration in FIGS. 10A-10D, withrespect to a cabinet 10, is only a portion of such a cabinet and theextension 179 of the rear side 15D is actually still part of the cabinet10 and the remaining walls 15A, 15B and 15C would most likely also beextended to match the extension 179.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a cabinet 200 of another variety having atop panel 222 with an opening 217, wherein the top panel 222 is pivotalfrom a closed position covering the opening 217 as illustrated in FIG.11A to an open position, wherein the accessory 230 is in full view. Thelifting mechanism described in association with previous embodimentsapplies to this design as well, even though for illustrative purposes, astandard wire arrangement is shown.

FIGS. 12A-12D, illustrate a furniture piece 300 having a top panel 322with an opening 317, wherein the top panel 322 is pivotal from a closedposition covering the opening 317 as illustrated in FIG. 12A to an openposition, wherein the accessory 330 is in full view. The liftingmechanism described in association with previous embodiments applies tothis design as well.

Finally, FIG. 13 illustrates a furniture piece 400 having a top panel422 with an opening 417, wherein the top panel 422 is pivotal from aclosed position covering the opening 417 (not shown) to an openposition, wherein the accessory 430 is in full view, as illustrated inFIG. 13. The lifting mechanism described in association with previousembodiments applies to this design as well.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described indetail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and alternatives to those details could be developed inlight of the overall teachings of the disclosure. The presentlypreferred embodiments described herein are meant to be illustrative onlyand not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be giventhe full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalentsthereof.

1. A furniture piece comprised of a body having: a) a top openingdefining a cavity therein; b) a top panel over the opening and pivotallyattached to the body, wherein the top panel has an inner surface and,wherein the top panel is pivotal from a closed position covering theopening to an open position uncovering the opening; c) wherein the innersurface of the top panel is adapted to receive a generally flataccessory such that in the closed position the accessory is hidden andin the open position the accessory is in full view; and d) a liftingmechanism to assist in lifting the top panel from the closed position tothe open position, wherein the lifting mechanism is sized to accommodatethe weight of both the top panel and the accessory.
 2. The furniturepiece according to claim 1, wherein the body is further comprised ofside panels to define a cabinet having a cavity therein.
 3. Thefurniture piece according to claim 1, wherein the body is a table andthe top panel is a portion of the top of the table.
 4. The furniturepiece according to claim 1, wherein the top panel is pivotally attachedto the body through a hinge.
 5. The furniture piece according to claim1, wherein the accessory is a flat screen monitor.
 6. The furniturepiece according to claim 5, wherein the flat screen monitor consistingof one from the group of an LCD screen and a plasma screen.
 7. Thefurniture piece according to claim 1, wherein the accessory is a mirror.8. The furniture piece according to claim 1, further including a liftingmechanism to assist in moving the top panel between the closed positionand the open position.
 9. The furniture piece according to claim 8,wherein the lifting mechanism is comprised of at least one biasingmember attached at one end to the top panel and at the other end to thebody.
 10. The furniture piece according to claim 9, wherein the biasingmember is preloaded to a degree that the external force required to liftthe top panel from the closed position is minimized.
 11. The furniturepiece according to claim 9, wherein the at least one biasing member is aspring.
 12. The furniture piece according to claim 11, wherein thespring is preloaded when the top panel is in the closed position. 13.The furniture piece according to claim 11, wherein the spring is a gasspring including a spring and a dampener.
 14. The furniture pieceaccording to claim 9, further including a resisting member to resist thelift member force at the upper travel of the top panel and to reduce thevelocity of the top panel as it opens.
 15. The furniture piece accordingto claim 14, wherein the resisting member is attached between the toppanel and the body in parallel with the biasing member.
 16. Thefurniture piece according to claim 14, wherein the resisting member isattached between the top panel and the body in series with the biasingmember.
 17. The furniture piece according to claim 14, wherein theresisting member is comprised of a spring positioned to oppose thebiasing member when the top panel approached the open position.
 18. Thefurniture piece according to claim 17, wherein the resisting member isfurther comprised of a sliding adjustment to adjust the point at whichthe biasing member is opposed by the resisting member.
 19. The furniturepiece according to claim 1, wherein the lifting mechanism is comprisedof a motor to move the top panel between the closed position and theopened position.
 20. The furniture piece according to claim 19, whereinthe lifting mechanism further includes a first threaded member and amating second threaded member, wherein each threaded member isthreadingly engaged with the other and attached to one of the body andthe top panel, wherein the threaded members are rotatively drivenrelative to one another by the motor to provide a translational motionfor pivotally moving the top panel.
 21. The furniture piece according toclaim 19, further including a receiver attached to the motor and aremote transmitter for remote operation of the motor.